20 <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> <strong>Shipping</strong> <strong>Accidents</strong>: <strong>Understanding</strong> the <strong>Risks</strong> in <strong>Canada</strong> Box 2.3 The Challenges of Securing a Social Licence for Tanker Ships in British Columbia In British Columbia, some types of shipping have recently received negative attention (CBC News, 2015a). Concerns about tankers have been heavily tied to reservations about resource development, including increasing export opportunities for Alberta’s oil sands and associated climate change impacts. Proposals for the Northern Gateway pipeline to Kitimat and the Trans Mountain pipeline to Burnaby, both of which are intended to transport diluted bitumen from Alberta, have been met with protest due, in large part, to the associated tanker traffic (Stueck, 2013). In particular, there are worries about the potential impacts of a marine spill of diluted bitumen. In its January 2016 submission to the National Energy Board, the Government of British Columbia cited concerns about the quality of a marine spill response as a key factor behind its decision not to support the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (GBC, 2016). Concerns were exacerbated by the recent bunker fuel spill in Vancouver’s English Bay, where the Canadian Coast Guard response was perceived as poor and questions were raised about oil spill preparedness (Editorial Board, 2015). Environmental concerns are particularly significant in British Columbia because residents place high value on the natural environment. The Council’s survey revealed that respondents from the Pacific coast were generally more concerned than those from Atlantic, Central, or Northern <strong>Canada</strong> about the environmental impacts of a shipping accident involving cargo release in their region. Survey responses indicated that the degree of environmental impacts expected from a spill were somewhat greater for the Pacific coast than for the rest of <strong>Canada</strong>. This may be partially explained by the results of another national survey, which found that British Columbians were more likely than other Canadians to have chosen their residence, in part, for access to nature (biodivcanada.ca, 2014). Moreover, average annual expenditures on nature-related activities were among the highest in the country (biodivcanada.ca, 2014). Competing demands for coastal access can further erode support for shipping. In port cities the waterfront is valued for many uses — commercial, residential, and recreational (OECD, 2014). When the community does not perceive a sufficient benefit from shipping-related activities, they may prefer that other waterfront uses be prioritized. These concerns may be exacerbated in an area like Metro Vancouver where land prices are high. A planned moratorium on tanker traffic in Northern British Columbia demonstrates what is at stake when social licence for resource development and transportation is absent (CBC News, 2015a). There is widespread opposition to the Northern Gateway’s proposed transportation of diluted bitumen across ecologically sensitive land and waters, including among Coastal First Nations. Coastal First Nations determined that the risks to health and livelihood posed by the project far outweighed the benefits (CFN, n.d.). 2.5 CONCLUSION <strong>Canada</strong>’s shipping industry is important to domestic commerce and international trade, and the cargo moved is highly diverse. International agreements backed by national laws, regulations, and industry standards are part of a comprehensive but complex governance structure to mitigate the risks of commercial marine shipping. The regulatory and safety framework that governs marine shipping in <strong>Canada</strong> is well developed and continues to evolve. Together with ongoing efforts to support a safety culture, it is critical to the continued reduction of risks at all levels.
Chapter 3 Incidents and <strong>Accidents</strong> 21 3 Incidents and <strong>Accidents</strong> • Incidents and <strong>Accidents</strong> by Vessel Type and Region • Incidents and <strong>Accidents</strong> by Stage of <strong>Shipping</strong> and Type of Waterway • Bringing It All Together: The Importance of Frequency and Severity • Factors That Influence the Likelihood of an Incident or Accident • Conclusion
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